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Category: Book Reviews

Books of 2020

It’s that time of year again, folks. A time for deep reflection and much introspection… a time for weighing words and counting pages… a time for looking back to the stories of yesteryear. I’m talking, of course, about our ANNUAL BOOK RECAP! *cheers*

Seriously, this might be one of my favorite posts to write every January! What could be more fun than a blitz of mini reviews, a look at my tippity top favorite reads, and fascinating bookish stats, am I right?

Now, I read quite a bit less than normal in 2020. I think we can all agree it was a weird year, and for various reasons my reading appetite waned at times. But I did get to consume some wonderful stories and even discovered a new favorite author or two.

So! Let’s see if you’ve read some of these—and if your TBR doesn’t grow by the end of this. 😉

Subplots & Storylines – November & December 2020

Well, my noble questing friend, we’ve made it to the end of 2020! I’m stewing on some reflections of the past year and dreams for the next, which I hope to share later, but for now—it’s time for Subplots & Storylines!

November began with my 25th birthday and December ended with a quiet (but oh so lovely) family Christmas. In between, I enjoyed an online concert, some much-needed time off, loooots of art created on the weekends, ugly Christmas sweater days at work, baking gingersnaps, more Mario Kart than I’ve played in months, and some very exciting progress on The Brightest Thread (more on that later too!).

I watched a few fun things over the last two months, and my reading appetite is beginning to pick up again too (hooray!) so… prepare for some reviews!

King’s Warrior – Audiobook Review

Who’s up for a cozy fantasy audiobook? My audiobook moods come and go, but late fall seems like the PERFECT time to listen to a kingdom adventure tale about warriors, prophecies, and dragons. So… allow me to introduce King’s Warrior by Jenelle Schmidt!

About the Book

Six hundred years ago the land of Aom-igh was threatened with invasion by the Dark Country across the Stained Sea; in their danger King Llian sought the help of the dragons and the myth-folk. Graldon, King of the Dragons, granted the human king with a gift that would help him defeat his enemies. Graldon also promised King Llian that the dragons would come to the humans’ aid should Aom-igh ever be in such danger again. Years passed, and Aom-igh remained safe and isolated from its enemies. The dragons slowly disappeared and faded into legend and myth, and people forgot magic had ever existed.

When her kingdom is threatened by the Dark Country once again, the headstrong Princess Kamarie sets off on a quest to find the man who may be able to save them all: the former King’s Warrior. Traveling with her are two companions: her eccentric maid, and a squire who resents his charge to travel with and protect the princess. However, finding the legendary hero proves to be the least of their worries. Together the companions encounter more than they ever bargained for. A beautiful gatekeeper, a sword fashioned by dragons, enemies who pursue them relentlessly and hound them at every turn, and an underground world full of mythical creatures are just the beginning of their adventures.

As they search for the answers to mystifying riddles and seek a way to save everything they hold dear the comrades will learn a little about courage, a lot about truth, and more about themselves than they ever imagined. But if they can succeed in their quest, they may join worlds together.

Subplots & Storylines – July to October 2020

SUBPLOTS AND STORYLINES IS BACK, BABY. And I am aghast, because how has it been a third of a year since I did one of these recap posts?! Let’s just chalk it up to this being the weirdest, timey-wimey-est year in history. But we’re here now, so pull up a chair. How’ve you been? What worlds have you conquered? (Or how many naps have you taken?)

Now, I know I said way back in spring or something that S&S was narrowing down to cover just book and movie reviews. (Since personal and writing updates are now featured in my email newsletter!) Buuut because it’s been so long since I gave you any sort of life update, how about a crash course on what my last four months have been like? It’s been kind of wild.